My experience in life has taught me that if you can break projects down into simple steps, you will become the master of that project. That’s the difference between a intelligent person and a wise person.

With that being said, let’s examine how you can install a new or used oven… the smart way. I’ve broken the process down into 13 easy steps. Will you learn everything I know in this article? Of course not. I have installed thousands of ovens in my life. However, you will understand the process.

Step 1. List of tools. Nothing is more frustrating than starting a furnace job and discovering that some of the tools necessary to get the job done are missing. Most of you already have most of the basic tools you’ll need. Ex: screwdrivers, drills, hammer, etc. I’ll help you put together your list so you have everything you need before you start the job.

Step 2. Evaluation of your home. You will need to understand how your home is made and insulated. Do you have new or old windows and doors? Is air getting into your home through dryer vents, window fans, etc.? Do you have a basement or is your house on a concrete slab? You will need to know this to install the correct equipment in your home.

Step 3. Evaluation of the heating/cooling system and ductwork. This is the most important step. Why? The answer might surprise you. It might even surprise some HVAC contractors. The equipment must be of the appropriate size. Hands down. Without exceptions. Why? You might be thinking “Doesn’t the ‘bigger is better’ rule apply here?” No, let me put it another way: Hell no!

I will give you a short example here. If you were to install a large air conditioner in your home, the air conditioner would only run for a few minutes until the thermostat reached the desired temperature. Excellent! The larger air conditioner saved me energy by running for a short time and dropping the temperature super fast! What is the problem there? Yes, you cooled your house quickly, but what you didn’t do was remove the moisture (water in the air) from your house. The longer an air conditioner runs, the more water it removes from the air. That extra water in the air is what makes you uncomfortable when it’s hot. The idea is that you feel comfortable. Cooling the house down super fast will have the opposite effect. The same principle applies with an oven. It must be the right size. There are many heating and cooling calculators online that are free. Simply Google ‘heating and cooling load calculator’. Instructions are usually included. I included one in a guide I wrote called “The Ultimate Furnace Installation Guide.” I found that free online heat/load calculator.

Step 4. List of materials. Ducts. You’ll need to keep an up-to-date list of materials you’ll need when you go to the store (for all materials). Perhaps the return size should be larger. You will undoubtedly have to connect the old ductwork to the new furnace. The installation instructions that come with the heater will tell you what the sizes will be for proper installation. All part of Step 3

Step 5. Bill of Materials – Electrical. As you assess your home as part of Step 3, you will be able to determine what your new electrical needs will be. Make a detailed list. Please note that all new ovens require a ground wire. If you don’t have a ground wire on your old power supply, you’ll need to install one.

Step 6. Bill of Materials – Gas Line Supplies. It will also be determined in step 3. Hopefully now you will see the wisdom of following this process step by step. Making these lists before you start the installation will help you in the long run. With all the necessary materials on hand, as well as a plan of action, you won’t find yourself on day three of installation, minus 10 degrees and having to go to 15 different stores.

Step 7. Other Bill of Materials – Miscellaneous. This will be determined by the type of oven you have or will buy. Ex: An 80% efficient heater will require different flue materials than a 90% efficient heater.

Step 8. Find local vendors to work with. This could be your biggest hurdle. In the past, you were a bit tied to providers in your local area. Today you have internet. Use it to your advantage. Doing a Google search on the words “good oven man” will return a surprising amount of information. Always be sure to ask about the warranty. Note here that buying your own oven saves you Thousands of dollars – even if you end up hiring a contractor to install it for you!

Step 9. Eliminate the power and fuel supply of your existing equipment. Yes, I know, but some people start trashing things and forget about this step altogether. It is a reminder.

Step 10. Secure existing ductwork in place. Why? There is nothing more heartbreaking than starting to remove a furnace, only to have the existing ducts fall to the ground at your feet. Not only does this add another day to your job, it also adds new 4-letter words to your vocabulary. So, Step 10. Secure existing ductwork with cleats and screws.

Step 11. Removal of the old equipment. Now that you’ve disconnected all power to the furnace and secured the ductwork, you’re ready to begin removing the old equipment. Once removed, place it to the side of your workspace.

Step 12. Put everything back together. This section is divided into 6 subsections.

• Furnace alignment. If this is done correctly it will reduce the amount of work and ductwork you will have to do.
• Placement of the return and the boot in the new oven
• Attachment of Old Plenum (ducts coming out of the old oven) to the new oven. This is called the transition
• Gas line reconnection and leak test.
• Operate flues to remove gases from spent fuel
• Thermostat reconnection and high voltage power supply.

Step 13. Start up your equipment. Usually, the manufacturer’s instructions will tell you exactly how they would like you to start and test the new oven. Follow their instructions as closely as possible.

There you go. Twenty years of experience wrapped in 13 easy steps. If you’re thinking of installing your own oven, I hope this helps.

Copyright Gatto Publishing 2008